The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1887-09-23
KY, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 1887.
RsrABLrsHrNa QUARANTINE.

4udA uiuCb 1NCW VhICduc, anu
invitation Of the Legislature of Louisi.
ana, he established the present ,quaran-
tine system below New Orleans.
In 1866 Mrs. Blackburn died, and the
Doctor afterward, in 1857, made voyage
to Europe for the purpose of visiting the
more prominent European hospitals, aud
study the systems there obtaining in the
treatment of diseases of which be had
made a study. In Paris he met Miss
julia NJ. Churchill, of Kentucky, whom
he married, and with whom he passed
through the most eventful and stirring
period of his life. Returning TO America,
he located at New Orleans. When the
Civil War broke out he espoused the
cause Of the South. In fact, he was an
ORIGINAL sECEssIoNIsT,
And one of the most ardent. He became
attached to the staff of General Stirling
Price as surgeon. In fact, all the Black.
burn family were enthusiastic secession
private, as did his brother. A sister,
Mrs. Morris, woman with a character
as lovely as that of any woman that ever
lived, was unceasing in her efforts to
alleviate the sutIciings OF the Southern
captives at Camp Douglas. Many of
these remember her with gratitude, and
would today be proud to subscribe to
the erection of a monument to her men,
Dry. The Legislature of Mississippi APP
propriated $4,000 and placed the money
in the hands of DR.. Blackburn, for the
use and benefit of the soldiers Of the
State, wherever found. Afterward Gov.
ernor Pettis commissioned him to 90 to
the borders and superintend the furnish
ing of supplies by blockade runners. To
carry ont this commission he joined his
family in Canada in 1864, At this time
the yellow fever had broken out in the
Bermuda Island, and in response TO a
request of the Goyernor-General of
Canada, DR.. Blackburn went to the
island TO assist the afflicted citizens and
soldiers. The services he rendered were
recognized in an official way by the
British Government.
A TERRIBLE CHARGE.
During the time he was thus engaged
exposing his life for others it was charged
that DIT. Blackburn had deliberately
caused large quantity of clothing in.
fected with yellow fever to be shipped
from the Bermudas to Washington, for
the purpose of introducing the terrible
scouTge into the Capital City. A great
noise was made about the matter at the
time, and the testimony of some inform
ers was taken in support of the charge.
There was even some investigation into
the matter in Canada, but the result,
except in the minds OF those prejudiced
against the doctor and the South, which
l. ttav, from
the awful charge. IL was In such terri
BILE contrast to the eminent physicians
life, and the attempt so abortive, consid- |
ering the experience with such infected
articles, that the charge soon faded from |
the public mind. An infected ship, in |
1856, introduced the dreaded scourge TO |
Fort Washington, Long Island, and by |
invitation of the Mayor of New York, he |
gave his time and services to the people |
of the afflicted district, refusing compen-
sation; but the infected ship and cloth
ing from Bermuda and their alleged |
in Washington, seemed to have
done no harm at all,
ELECTED GOVERNOR.
In 1867 DR.. Blackburn returned TO the
United States and engaged i'll planting in
the State of Arkansas, where his wife
had a plantation. In 1872 he returned |
to Kentucky, when he resumed the |
practice of his profession at Louisville.
When yellow fever broke out in Mem
phis he rendered bis aid. In 1878 DR.. /
Blackburn announced himself a candidate
for Governor of Kentucky. He was
opposed by Judge Lindsay, of the Court
Of Appeals During the canvass yellow
fever epidemic broke out in Southwest
ern Kentucky. DIR. Blackburn at once
rendered his services to the afflicted peo-
pie, rs usual without compensation. In |
gratitude for his course they gave him
hearty support in his race for Governor.
He got the nomination, and in 1879 was
duly elected and inaugurated.
PRISON REFORM.
One of the first things he did, for
which he will ever be gratefully remem-
bered. was to reyolutionize the conduct
of the Kentuky penitentiary, which was
at that time in horrible condition,
overcrowdod and unhealthy; reeking
den of filth, moral and physical. He
If the Legislature did not do
10 improve the condition Of
things in the prison, he would exercise
the pardoning power by the wholesale.
He began by pardoning all the boys and
girls, and nearly all the women. He
the keeper 10 supply whole
some food and proper medical attendance
10 the prisoners. Mrs. Blackburn intro
iuced system for the improvement of
heir morals, and in many ways aided
the prisoners in the work OF self redemp-
ion, The messages of the Governor IT,
he Legislature were 90 vigorous that
hey aroused the interest Of the country,